Abby's Big Barrier of Boring Beige

I would like to start by saying that I have been having computer problems- they are really ticking me off- so after reading this post- I know I came across strong- and please don't cry or hate me- I am just mad at my computer- and taking it out on Abby's family room.

Abby sent me pictures of her home- but I was unable to find actual questions in her e-mails- so - I thought I'd just run with it.

First of all- the furniture is far from ideal for the space- you have two large sofas and a love seat all in a non-specific style, and a color that is hard to find a name for. It seems so non-committal to me. Like you either don't know what style you like, or you are too timid to go there- or perhaps you and your husband have such different styles that each of you moved to the middle - which ended up being the middle of nowhere. But the result is a room full of nothing. There is also such a large amount of furniture that it is forcing you to push everything against the wall. If you have fewer than nine children- you don't need that much seating. I see a zebra chair that tells me there is a stylish girl there peeking ever so timidly out behind a big barrier of boring beige. So- anyway- if replacing the furniture is in the budget- let me know- but I won't address that in this post. One more word about furniture arrangement- case pieces almost never look good on an angle. Find a wall that is the right scale and move your curio. In addition to the angle being a problem- itis also next to your TV stand. Case piece next to case piece is a rhythm killer.

Secondly, your paint colors are horrible. I know that might sound strong. But they don't look good with each other- or with your furniture. The red wall and red chair do not go well. This is not the right style of room for an "accent wall." As regular readers of my blog know- the use of the "accent wall" is much easier in a more contemporary setting rather than in such a traditional room. HGTV are doing it's watchers a great disservice with all of the "accent walls" they are using. I would go much lighter and more neutral in your paint color. Check out the paint color I suggested for Jen in this post- and see how it looks with your items. Put your new paint on all of your walls.

Third- create more variety in wall decor. Look around the room. If there is not a window, there is a "picture" on every wall. You need variety. Check out this post that I did for Rebbecca- it goes into wall decor variety in more detail. There are SO MANY more things you can put on your walls other than just pictures. Try to do something different on each wall. Think outside the box. Anyone have some unique suggestions for Abby's wall decor?

Fourth- add drapes. Your window treatments are not done without a fabric treatment. Use that as a way to solidify your color pallet for the room. I see red, I see beige, I see black and white, and a rug that I can't really tell what colors are in there. Your room is disconnected. I selected a fabric for you (at the top of the post) from Robert Allen. Invite more pattern. Use your window treatments to give yourself a color pallet. I can't really tell what type of blinds you currently have- but they remind me of your sofas. No color- no texture- no style. I would replace them with dark woven woods- the color of your coffee table.

Fifth- add a focal point. Of course the focal point is the fireplace- but your fireplace has some issues. The trim above it makes it impossible to hang anything there. I would remove it. This is your focal point. The furniture faces it, the rhythm of the room should be all directing and pointing to this great focal point. Your surround is too small- the mantle is too skinny.... Perhaps start with simply removing the trim- and hanging something great over it.

It's pretty dangerous responding to a question without being able to read the question... I hope I was more helpful than hurtful...